ISSS is still here for you!
We know this time is tough, but we are still here for you.
Read on to learn about our new initiatives to stay connected to one another through this time - including Virtual International Coffee Hour,
our international Coffee Hour Facebook Group, and Virtual Advising.
Be sure to stay up to date on everything by following us on
Instagram, Facebook & Twitter!
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Virtual Advising
We are here for you! If you have immigration questions, our staff is still working from home to serve you. We are holding virtual advising Monday - Friday from 9am-4:45pm. Please note, virtual advising is meant for shorter inquiries, and in order to serve all students and scholars, we ask that advising be limited to 5 minutes.
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SURVEY
Location for Remainder of the Spring Semester
UA ISSS asks all international students to let us know where you will be for the rest of the semester.
Let us know if you plan to stay in Tuscaloosa, stay somewhere else in the U.S., or return home for the semester by completing our International Student Survey.
If for any reason your plan changes after completing the survey, please let us know by contacting international@ua.edu.
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Apply for OPT NOW if you are completing your program in May 2020
As we follow preventive health strategies related to COVID-19, ISSS operations have now moved online. OPT and CPT applications will still be processed as usual, only not in person during this time. This message is directed to students who will complete their program of study in spring 2020 AND students who will graduate in summer 2020 but not enrolled in any credit hours in summer 2020.
To apply for OPT and CPT, please scan all of the documents in one (1) single PDF file to international@ua.edu or trang.t.nguyen@ua.edu . Due to the limitation of our database, please limit your file size to 4MB or less. To ensure quick processing, only scan an application when all forms are completed and properly signed. Electronic signatures are acceptable on certain forms. We highly recommend that Form I-765 (for OPT applications) still contain “wet” signature.
Lists of documents required could be found here for OPT applications, and here for CPT applications.
If you have any questions about the applications or process, “walk-in” virtually from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM M-F using this Zoom link https://uasystem.zoom.us/my/uainternationalservices
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International May graduates - we want to celebrate YOU!
Send us a short video (10-25 seconds, filmed horizontally on your phone) reflecting on your time at UA, sharing an accomplishment, or thanking those who helped you along the way! We'll be creating a special #SeniorStories graduation video for you at the end of the semester! Please email your videos to international@ua.edu.
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VIRTUAL International Coffee Hour
We miss you a latte! Fridays aren't as fun without International Coffee Hour, so we will be hosting a Virtual International Coffee. So BYOC (Bring Your Own Coffee or Chai) and sit down with us for our last Coffee Hour of the semester over Zoom for 30 minutes on Friday, starting at 11:30am Central Time. You can access Virtual International Coffee Hour by using this link. Each week we will talk about a topic and break up into smaller groups to discuss the topic and make new friends! Let’s support one another and build community during this time.
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 International Coffee Hour Facebook Group
What we need most right now is each other! Join our International Coffee Hour Facebook Group for daily support and conversation outside of our weekly Virtual International Coffee Hours. We'll talk about how we're spending time at home, tips on succeeding in online classes, and we'll throw in some fun contests!
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Scam Warning
Please be aware that there are a large number of tax, Social Security, immigration, and housing scams in the U.S. which target both Americans and international students and scholars. There is now potential for COVID-19 related scams as well.
Most of these types of scams will spoof a government agency phone number in order to look official. Often they will attempt to steal personal information (identity theft) or attempt to get you to pay a fictitious fee or fine.
The IRS, DHS, and other government agencies will never contact you by phone or email.
Signs of a Scam Phone Call:
- Automated call/robocall notifies you that your Social Security Number has been suspended, requesting you to call back.
- A live caller requests you to pay a fine using Western Union, PayPal, Green Dot, MoneyGram or some other wire transfer service.
- Often the caller threatens your arrest or deportation for failure to act within a very short period of time.
- If it is a live caller, they will try to prevent you from hanging up, asking you to visit a retail store to transfer funds while remaining on the phone.
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Pass/Fail Grading Information Updated
Students will have the opportunity to choose a pass/fail (P/F) grading option for courses in which they are enrolled during Spring Semester 2020, provided that the course has not yet ended. More information has been posted at the registrar’s website.
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March 30th, 2020:
April 24th, 2020:
April 27th, 2020:
April 28th, 2020:
April 29th, 2020:
April 30th, 2020:
May 1st, 2020:
May 1st/2nd, 2020:
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